Baker County Court Records

Baker County court records comprise all documents and media created or submitted during legal cases. These records—maintained in paper or electronic format by the Clerk of Courts office—include dockets, subpoenas, transcripts, exhibits, writs, judgments, and affidavits. In addition to their importance for future legal proceedings and background checks, these records, like all Florida court records, contribute to the transparency of the judicial system.

Are Court Records Public in Baker County?

Yes. Under Rule 2.420 of Florida's Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration, the public can access most Baker County court records. Certain records, however, are exempt from public access. These include:

• Judicial decision-making materials (drafts, memoranda, etc).
• Unexecuted search and arrest warrants
• Estate inventories and accountings
• Records protected by the Florida or federal law
• Records whose disclosure would harm governmental interests, subject parties to substantial injury, or jeopardize a person's right to a fair trial

Baker County Court Records Search

To look up Baker County court records, a person can visit the local Clerk of the Circuit Court's office (also called the Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's Office) during regular business hours. This office is responsible for maintaining all court records generated in the county and furnishing access as mandated by law.

Requesters will need to provide a party name or case number to locate records at the Clerk's office. They can also use that information to access the Clerk's Online Court Records Search (OCRS) portal to find local court records. It should be noted that the office may charge a per-page fee to produce plain copies.

Baker County Courts

Baker County, located in Florida's 8th Judicial Circuit, is served by two courts (Circuit and County courts) sharing the same courthouse. Below are their street addresses and contact information:

Baker County Circuit Court
Baker County Courthouse
339 East Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-8113

Baker County Court
Baker County Courthouse
339 East Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-8113

The Circuit Court's jurisdiction encompasses felony, juvenile dependency, probate, family law, and civil cases, as well as appeals from the County Court. The County Court handles small claims, traffic cases, and misdemeanors. Detailed jurisdictional limits for the Baker County courts are outlined on the Florida Supreme Court's website.

Baker County Criminal and Civil Records

The Baker County Clerk of Court’s office maintains criminal and civil court records. Civil court records are generated from non-criminal proceedings initiated by private citizens, businesses, or other entities. Meanwhile, criminal court records result from government efforts to prosecute a person for a crime. Individuals can find these records at the Clerk's office within the local courthouse or by visiting the Clerk's Online Court Records Search portal.

However, the criminal records maintained by the local courts are not the only type of Baker County criminal records that exist. Baker arrest records, for instance, are kept by local law enforcement departments. Additionally, statewide criminal history files, which include Baker criminal records, are accessible through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Baker County Marriage Records

Marriage records, part of the Baker County vital records, can be retrieved from the local Clerk of Courts office. This office provides free access to marriage indexes and document images on its Online Official Records Search portal. Users can look up records with various criteria, including a spouse's name. However, a user account is required to purchase eCertified copies, and those who need paper certified copies (highly recommended for Baker County marriage records) can complete and submit an order form to the Clerk's office in person or via mail.

Members of the public can also order a Baker County marriage certificate (June 6, 1927, to date) from the Florida Department of Health for a fee.

Baker County Divorce Records

To order Baker County divorce records, a person can visit or write to the local Clerk of Courts' office. Requests should include sufficient details (party name, case number, file date range) to enable court staff to find desired records. Typically, record inspections are available at no cost at the Clerk's office or by accessing the Clerk's Online Court Records Search portal. However, requesters are liable for fees charged to reproduce or certify case documents or information.

The Clerk of Courts' office is the one-stop shop for divorce decrees and other documentary materials from a divorce case in Baker County. However, parties can request divorce certificates (June 6, 1927, to date) from the Florida Department of Health, albeit for a fee. Unlike divorce decrees, divorce certificates are not the actual court judgments, but they are acceptable as evidence that a divorce took place.

Baker County Birth Records

The Florida Department of Health in Baker disseminates Baker County birth records (certificates). Under Florida law, these records are restricted for 125 years to the following parties:

• The registrant, if of legal age (18 years old and above)
• Parent(s) named on the birth record
• Legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers)
• Legal representative of any of the above persons (must provide supporting documentation)
• A person with a court order (must provide a copy of the order)

Detailed procedures for purchasing a Baker County birth certificate are outlined on the State Health Department's website. Generally, applicants will need to complete and submit an application form, provide valid ID, and pay the relevant fees ($15 per certified copy, but other charges may apply depending on the request channel).

After 125 years, Baker County birth records are considered open to the public and can be requested by anyone.

Baker County Death Records

Baker County death records are considered part of the Baker County public records. Any person 18 years and above can apply to the Baker County Health Department or the Florida Health Department to get a Baker County death certificate without cause of death (2009–present). However, death records less than 50 years old with cause of death information and full social security numbers are restricted from public access. These documents may only be issued to:

• Decedent’s child, grandchild, or sibling (if over the age of 18)
• Decedent’s spouse or parent
• Legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers)
• Any person with a legitimate interest in the decedent's estate
• Legal representative of any of the above persons (must provide documentation)
• Person with a court order (must provide a copy of the order)

If the applicant is not one of the above parties and wishes to obtain a less-than-50-year-old death record, their application must be accompanied by a notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information (DH Form 1959) signed by one of the eligible persons.

Baker County death records ordered from the Baker County Health Department cost $10 for each certified copy, but the Florida Department of Health charges slightly more for orders.

Baker County Probate Court Records

The Baker County Clerk of Courts maintains and disseminates probate court records. These records, stemming from local circuit court proceedings, cover wills, estate administration, guardianships, and related matters. Access options include visiting the courthouse during business hours, writing to the Clerk's office, or utilizing the Clerk's OCRS online portal. Note that access to confidential records may be restricted by law or court order.

Baker County Property Records

Baker County property records consist of deeds, mortgages, liens, tax histories, assessment data, and other documents/information pertaining to local real property transactions.

These records are kept primarily by the Baker Clerk of Courts, Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector's offices. Individuals who require access can:

• Explore the Clerk's Online Official Records Search portal with a grantee/grantor name, instrument number, parcel ID, or other criteria to find recorded real estate documents.
• Explore the Baker County Property Appraiser’s Property Search website with an owner name, site address, parcel number, etc., to find property assessment records.
• Explore the Baker County Tax Collector's Property Tax Search site with an owner's name, property number, or tax bill number to find property tax information.
• During business hours, visit or contact the Baker County Clerk of Court, Appraiser, or Collector’s office to review records or obtain copies.

Note that the offices highlighted above may require payment to produce copies of documents.

Baker County Court Records Online

Members of the public can access Baker County court records online on Floridacourtrecords.us and other private aggregator databases. Third-party sites can perform broader name searches, spanning different counties and states, ultimately making them useful when uncertain where to begin a court records search. However, because information obtained from these sites may be outdated or incomplete, it is recommended that users validate any information they receive by requesting official records from the courts.